28 Foods That Boost Your Sex Drive

Yes, there are oysters. But also: red grapes, avocados, walnuts, and more tasty foods to help you get excited.

By
Perri O. Blumberg

Aug 3, 2017

Dark chocolate. Oyster. Truffles. You hardly need a reason to indulge in terrific treats like this formidable trio, but turns out, there is one really good one: they, along with a delicious array of other foods, can boost your sex drive. See what other foods R.D.s recommend to get you in the mood STAT.

"Celery has an aroma which contains two steroids called androsterone and adrostenol. When we ingest celery, the subtle pheromone of these two natural chemicals travels through our sweat glands and works to attract the opposite sex," explains Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D.N, author of the upcoming book Body Kindness. "Celery also contains arginine, which is an amino acid that expands blood vessels the way Viagra is supposed to do."

Hold the PSL, please! "Pumpkin seeds are a great source of zinc, which boosts testosterone," says Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, M.D., a weight loss expert and author of What Doctors Eat. "Not only is this great for men, but studies have shown women with high levels of testosterone have a greater sex drive. Zinc works to block the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen." Bonus: Pumpkin seeds are loaded with antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium, and more good-for-you nutrients.

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Watermelon

There's no reason to ditch this summer staple after temperatures drop. "Watermelon relaxes the blood vessels to improve blood flow to the sex organs, which may enhance arousal," says Mary Hartley, R.D., a consulting nutritionist from Providence, Rhode Island. "The phytonutrient citrulline in watermelon is responsible for the effect. Since citrulline is most concentrated near the rind, think about eating more pickled watermelon rind."

Load up on a few of these nutrient-dense spears tonight! "Asparagus contains vitamins A and C, which promote healthy skin and hair," says Toby Amidor, R.D., author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen. You know that if you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, well, you know what spontaneous fun can come next. " In addition to its high amounts of potassium and B vitamins, asparagus gives the body a boost of histamine which helps promote stronger orgasms," adds Scritchfield.

This sweet and smooth fruit is well worth slipping into your diet for a lift to your sex drive: "Bananas are a great source of potassium, a critical nutrient for muscle contraction which is very important for good quality sex," say Lyssie Lakatos and Tammy Lakatos Shames, The Nutrition Twins. "Also, bananas naturally contain bromelain, which helps produce testosterone. Studies show that women with higher sex drives have higher testosterone."

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Soy Foods

"Soy is known for its isoflavone compounds, which mimic the action of estrogen. Estrogen keeps the vaginal area lubricated to enhance sexual pleasure," explains Hartley. If you're not a fan of tofu, try slipping soy milk into your next smoothie, or snacking on edamame sprinkled with sea salt.

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Oysters

For years, oysters have been rumored to help boost the libido — but why? "They contain two amino acids, D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, that have been found to increase sex hormones in men and women," says Batia.

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Bell Peppers

File this under awesome: "One large bell pepper contains nearly 600 percent of your needs for vitamin C," say Lakatos and Lakatos Shames. "Vitamin C aids in blood circulation to organs and has also been associated with an improved female libido." Note: All bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C, but red peppers rank higher than green, so opt for them if you can.

"Rumor has it Napoleon ate truffle mushrooms to increase sexual prowess," says Amidor. "He must have been onto something, as we've since learned that mushrooms contain zinc, which is needed for those 'special areas' to function." If you can't get fresh truffles, try truffle salt — it lasts for ages and a little bit goes a long way (and unlike the oil, won't turn rancid).

"The pine nut is an ancient aphrodisiac. The Arabian physician, Galen, prescribed one hundred pine nuts before going to bed, and the Roman poet, Ovid, presented his lover with 'the nuts that the sharp-leafed pine brings forth,'" says Hartley. Nifty trivia aside, "Pine nuts are rich in zinc, which is needed for testosterone production." ("And women with the most testosterone have the highest sex drives," says Bhatia.)

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Walnuts

"Walnuts pack a great punch for the libido. They're a good source of L-arginine, which gets converted into nitric oxide, and this keeps arteries flexible, dilates blood vessels, and improves blood flow, which is important for getting oxygen to the sex organs," say Lakatos and Lakatos Shames. Slip your man a handful, too, as L-arginine can help strengthen his erection.

"Kidney beans are also very rich in L-arginine," say Lakatos and Lakatos Shames. "A study has also shown that a supplement high in arginine improved female desire, satisfaction, and frequency of sex." Try scooping them onto a salad or slipping them into your favorite chili recipe.

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Sweet Basil

Also known as ocimum basilicum, this herb can be picked up at your local farmer's market or grocery or purchased as an essential oil. "The aroma of basil is said to increase sexual desire in men. Medieval prostitutes dabbed basil oil behind the ears to be seductive," says Hartley. "Inside the body, basil increases blood circulation everywhere including including the sex organs." Pair this herb with pine nuts for a killer pesto that doubles as an aphrodisiac.

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Figs

"Figs are high in zinc and magnesium, two nutrients needed to make testosterone and other sex hormones," says Hartley. "Although not well documented, figs may also enhance the secretion of pheromones, the chemicals we make to attract mating partners. But the fig's appearance may be the biggest reason for its aphrodisiac claims."

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Dark Chocolate

"The Aztec ruler Montezuma used to drink up to 50 cups of a chocolate drink before heading to his harem," says Amidor. "But to get the antioxidants from chocolate you don't need as much as Montezuma; choose chocolate made from 60-70 percent cocoa and eat 1-ounce servings." Oh, and there's more: "Dark chocolate helps release the same chemicals as those released during sex. Those feel-good chemicals will help build desire with your partner," says Lewis.

"Avocados are rich in vitamin B6 and folic acid, which help increase overall energy," says Scritchfield, a major factor against that mood-killing evening energy crash. "B6 also helps regulate prolactin, a libido enhancer." Even better? Avocados are also rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat: "Though the mechanism is not entirely clear, current research suggests that monounsaturated fats help to increase testosterone production," adds Andy Bellatti, R.D., a Las Vegas-based dietitian.

Crunch your way to an abundant sex drive: "Cruciferous vegetables contain a compound called Diindolylmethane (DIM) that plays an important role in hormone metabolism," says Bellati. "Among its tasks: prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. As men age, testosterone drops, so anything that helps mitigate that is a good thing."

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Wine and Spirits

Moderation is the key here, but by all means, indulge to amp up your sexual desire. "Alcohol is a relaxant and is known to decrease inhibitions," says Amidor. "But one to two glasses is all you need." If you drink too much, it actually impedes arousal. "According to the National Institute of Health, excessive alcohol can result in impotence," she warns.

"Studies have shown that a daily intake of pomegranate juice led to increased testosterone levels in women and men, reduced stress levels, and increased mood," says Batia. "The antioxidants present in this delicious fruit are a triple-threat! They help increase testosterone production, improve blood circulation, and improve mood," adds Lewis.

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Hemp Seeds

"Hemp seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral most Americans fall short in," says Bellatti. "Magnesium not only helps regulate blood pressure, it also helps increase testosterone levels." Sprinkle them on top of Greek yogurt with berries or blend 'em up in a smoothie.

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Salmon

"Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fats, which help to lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and improve circulation," say Lakatos and Lakatos Shames. "Efficient circulation means that blood will easily deliver nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, including to your sexual organs, so that they can function at their peak. Omega-3s also boost production of dopamine, one of your brain's pleasure chemicals."

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Chocolate Milk

This childhood staple has some very grown-up effects. "Chocolate contains theobromine and phenylethylamine," says Dr. Taz. "Theobromine has a mood-improving effect, while phenylethylamine is the same chemical produced in the brain when a person is in love — the perfect ingredient to get you in the mood."

Ginseng might not look appealing, but it could do wonders for your sex life. Researchers in a 2010 study found Korean red ginseng in particular improved sexual arousal in menopausal women. But you can give some to your hubby, too: Ginseng has also been shown to improve sexual function in men.

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Spinach

There's never been a better time to add spinach to your diet. It's a rich source of magnesium, and the mineral is known for helping dilate blood vessels. So, what does that mean for your libido? It increases blood flow to all parts of your body (wink, wink), which in turn increases arousal.

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Maca

Maca is having a moment right now. A relative of the radish, it's often sold in a powder form that can easily be added straight into your coffee or smoothie. It's been around for centuries and has helped with everything from stress and fatigue to depression. But, the benefits don't stop there: Multiple studies have shown maca plays a role in improving sexual function, too, so it's definitely worth jumping on the bandwagon. Or should we say bangwagon? 😎

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